The Business of Health - Episode 93 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Ed O'Malley

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Ed O'Malley came to Kansas Health Foundation after 15 years at the Kansas Leadership Center, a non-profit organization committed to fostering leadership for stronger, healthier and more prosperous Kansas communities. He joined KLC, which is primarily funded by KHF, in 2007 as its founding president and CEO, taking the organization from a new startup to an internationally recognized leadership training hub. Under O'Malley's leadership, KLC played a significant role increasing the number of diverse and underrepresented groups in civic leadership throughout Kansas.

Prior to his time at KLC, O'Malley served two terms as a state representative in the Kansas Legislature, gained experience in the private sector and worked on the staff of Kansas Governor Bill Graves. He is active in civic organizations, including as past board chair of the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas and chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board for the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. He has also been on an advisory committee for the Colorado Health Foundation, a director for the Beta Theta Pi National Fraternity and a coach for youth sports.

O'Malley holds a bachelor's degree in history from Kansas State University. He has also completed the Emerging Leaders Streetwise MBA program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration and received executive training from the Harvard Business School and the Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government.

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On this episode we discuss:
● Improving the health of all Kansans
● How Kansas was one of the healthiest states, but has slipped dramatically over the
last 30 years
● How health is a “super-measure”
● Tools a business can use for assessing employee health
● Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: fighting to keep it from being political
● Making Wichita a place to attract diverse talent from across the country
● Can debate how DEI is done, but it must be done
● The Chamber on the front lines
● How do we not politicize and engage in meaningful conversations?
● The key is found in trusting others
● As employers, are we dismantling systemic inequities?
● Winning on health means winning across the board

Listen on popular podcast directories and aggregators, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, and ICT Podcast Network or using the player above. Send feedback on this show and/or suggestions for future guests or topics by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or emailing communications@wichitachamber.org.

Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator is a weekly podcast devoted to supporting and learning from area business owners. Released every Wednesday, it's produced by Forge Podcast Co, managed by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Evergy. 

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